Do You Ever Feel Burned Out Shooting Concerts?

narlus wrote in post #5678775
dwight, cool how things work out like that.

here's what keeps me going

Right on, Mudhoney is one of my absolute faves!

I'm wondering about that burn out feeling. After often doing two shows a week in recent years, and post processing each show for another several days... I'm currently taking my sweet time to print and mat the results... I'm also working on marketing and promotions and booking a few local weddings.

The local venue is the only place I choose to shoot shows... Since in recent years, I've seen and photographed most of the acts, I'm laying low... The head honcho at the venue thinks my work is top of the line and uses some of my work in their promo ads and web site... He also offers to call me when needed... However, the reality is that the parent company of the venue owns the four county, local daily newspaper... They have a full time staff of photographers on payroll... and although none of them shoot more than one picture at the shows for their paper, that's all they need for now.

And since I'm retired... shooting at crowded places, out of pits, late into the night, just doesn't thrill me much... I've gotten stiffed a few times by small name and big name bands too... Having to dabble in legal matters seems to spoil this business... If it's going to be fun, and comfortable, I'll probably venture out to a couple of the local resorts down the road... I already have a year long promo tied in with one of the local resorts for my photography business... However, it's not specifically show oriented. We'll see how things develop in the near future.

Since I don't get paid to shoot, but do because it is part of the whole music experiance for me when I see all our local Texas band, I have had a burn out feeling at times. With the price of fuel keeping us away from music more than normal, I had not shot in awhile. Got out to a show last week, and had that excitement again of working with crappy lighting, and having my mind spinning with watching for that great timing of lighing, artist movement etc. all lining up for great shots. So, nothing great that night (did I mention crappy lighting?) but I had a little of that old feeling of really enjoying shooting again. It does seem getting away from a particular subject matter for awhile and shooting something different can be like a reintroduction when you return.

I didn't get burned out, but I did realise I was missing the concert!
It got to the point where friends were talking about songs or stuff that happened, that I had to look at a set list or programme to recognise.
I would say take a break, get hammered before the gig, and make complete fool of yourself (to the point of getting thrown out), and then see how you feel.

bildeb0rg wrote in post #5683436
I didn't get burned out, but I did realise I was missing the concert!
It got to the point where friends were talking about songs or stuff that happened, that I had to look at a set list or programme to recognise.
I would say take a break, get hammered before the gig, and make complete fool of yourself (to the point of getting thrown out), and then see how you feel.

Well, there's no alcohol at my venue and they're paying me a lot of money to take the pictures so I guess I'll pass on this suggestion! Of course, the 'fool' part is a given!

OK, I'm taking the good part of the advice and I'm off to ClubMed in Cancun with wife and daughter until about June 17th. You guys take care and don't mess with the Mods!